zola jesus: stridulum ep

I did not know who Nika Danilova (aka Zola Jesus) was until about a month ago, when I first started listening to the incredible Stridulum EP... and when I saw her played a spectacular set at Sneaky Dee's during NXNE 2010. The Stridulum EP features six atmospheric and moody songs. The EP has the mysterious quality of Fever Ray and the dream-like mood of Bat For Lashes; however, Zola Jesus’s songs are more gothic sounding. Each track is highlighted by Danilova’s incredibly powerful voice over the hauntingly sinister build-ups of synths and drum machines. The Stridulum EP is a fantastic teaser of what Nika Danilova is capable of... I cannot wait till the next Zola Jesus full-length!

I Can't Stand [wicked-cool song]



visit Zola Jesus' MySpace here
buy Stridulum EP here

song of the moment

photo by Giulia Mazza

Women recently released "Eyesore", the first single from the band’s upcoming sophomore album Public Strain. The digital version of the album is out on August 24th while the physical version (LP/CD) is out on September 28th.

Women: Eyesore

if you were given the option of dying painlessly in peace at forty-five

Los Campesinos! will release a brand new EP next week (July 19th) featuring four alternate versions of tracks from the band’s most recent album. Go to Wichita to pre-order the 10" All's Well That Ends EP. Here's the tracklisting of the EP, along with a free download of "Romance Is Borning (Princess Version)" via loscampesinos.com

1. Romance Is Boring (Princess Version)
2. Letters From Me To Charlotte (RSVP)
3. Straight In At 101/It's Never Enough
4. (All's Well That Ends) In Medias Res

Watch the making of the All's Well That Ends EP by Ellen Campesinos!

perfume genius: learning

The music of Mike Hadreas has been very therapeutic for me as of late. Mike Hadreas, aka Perfume Genius recently released his brilliant debut record entitled Learning. Perfume Genius is like the male version of PJ Havey (on White Chalk) and Grouper. He is White Chalk’s PJ Havey because of the haunting piano ballads/arrangements and Hadreas’ vulnerably delicate voice throughout Learning. On the other hand, he is Grouper because of gorgeous ambient track like "Gay Angels", and despite all of the darkness and sadness that derived from the album, Learning is quite comforting. Perfume Genius’ Learning is hands down the most beautiful record I’ve heard this year and it is now on the top of my list, along with Avi Buffalo’s S/T and These New Puritans’ Hidden as my favourite records of the year of far.

Learning [wicked-cool song]

visit Perfume Genius' MySpace here
buy Learning here

happy pride!

Diamond Rings—July 4, 2010 @ Alexander Parkette (Pride 2010)

everyone everywhere: everyone everywhere

I don’t know how else to explain Everyone Everywhere’s S/T debut other than it is a great straightforward indie rock record! For the most part, the album is very melodic sounding; most of the songs comprise of dynamic instrumental layers and Brendan McHugh’s passionate singing. I am really enjoying it at the moment and I highly recommend it—maybe because Everyone Everywhere sounds like one of my favourite bands from the 90s, The Promise Ring. ...and kids, this is what real emo sounds like, very different from those whinny pop-punk and wannabe hardcore bands you are bombarded with.

Raw Bar OBX 2002 [wicked-cool song]
I Feel Fine by Everyone Everywhere [wicked-cool song]

visit Everyone Everywhere's MySpace here
buy Everyone Everywhere here

happy canada day!

Hey everyone, HAPPY CANADA DAY! To celebrate, here are some of my favourite songs from the past year or so by Canadian artists:

The Acorn: Slippery When Wet from No Ghost
Born Ruffians: Retard Canard from Say It
Diamond Rings: All Yr Songs from Diamond Rings/PS I Love You Split 7"
Great Lake Swimmers: River's Edge from Lost Channels
The Hidden Cameras: Underage from Origin:Orphan
Japandroids: Art Czars from Art Czars 7"
Propagandhi: Dear Coach's Corner from Supporting Caste
Timber Timbre: We'll Find Out from Timber Timbre

...and The Thermals: Canada, they are not Canadian, but it’s a wicked song about Canada!